|
Preparing for Winter Weather
The fall has been mild and dry, but winter is just around the corner. In my new role, students have already been helpful in offering feedback related to school closure decisions. As we anticipate the season, I wanted to share the procedures we follow in the event of inclement weather or poor road conditions.
-
Collaborative Decision Making: The Supervisor of Transportation and Superintendent will work closely with the Department of Transportation, city and county snowplow operators, neighboring school districts, and the National Weather Service to monitor weather and road conditions.
-
Timely Communication: We are committed to notifying families and staff of any closures, delays, or early releases as promptly as possible. However, we all know that weather can be unpredictable, so we appreciate your understanding and patience.
-
Emergency Announcements: In the event of a school closing, announcements will be made through the Infinite Campus emergency phone calling system. We will also share updates on the district's Facebook page and website, and notifications will be sent to local media outlets, including area television (WCCO, KSTP, FOX, KARE 11, WEAU, WLAX) and radio stations (KEVR, WDMO, iHeartMedia Eau Claire).
In our region, inclement weather and challenging road conditions are realities we must consider. We understand the importance of our responsibility in making school closure decisions.
Our goal is to prioritize safety while keeping families informed. We achieve this through collaborative decision-making, timely communication, and widespread announcements.
Respectfully,
Dave Bell
Superintendent
| |
|
Important Dates
Oct 28 Board of Education & City Council Meeting (@RFHS)
Nov 4 End of Quarter One (secondary level)
Nov 5 No School (teacher in-service)
Nov 7 MMS & Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences
Nov 11 MMS Veteran's Day Program
Nov 14 Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences
Nov 18 School Board Meeting
Nov 26 End of Trimester One (elementary level)
Nov 27-29 No School (Thanksgiving Break)
The Board of Education meetings are streamed on the district YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/schooldistrictofriverfalls
2024-25 BOARD MEETINGS: Oct 28, Nov 18, Dec 16, Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 24, Apr 21, May 19, June 16
*School board agendas are available the Friday before each meeting.
| |
Facilities Projects Update | |
|
September was an exciting month, Kraus-Anderson and the construction team started the demolition of the tennis courts. Bray Architects focused on the exterior design of the Transportation Center and Multi-purpose room addition and presented this to the district with much enthusiasm. With most of the design work complete, Bray and their engineers have been focusing on building security, maintenance, and infrastructure improvements at all the schools.
| |
|
Rocky Branch and Westside Elementary Schools
The layout of the new student bathroom has been finalized and will include the same plumbing fixtures and interior finishes as other recently renovated student bathrooms around the district. Similar to Meyer Middle School and Greenwood Elementary School, the team has also been focusing on safety, security, and building infrastructure improvements.
| |
Meyer Middle School and Greenwood Elementary
Over the past few months, Bray Architects, their engineers, building and grounds staff, Kraus-Anderson, and the Core Planning Team have been working together to determine the extents of the security, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure improvements. After visiting the schools to verify the existing conditions, the design team will document the improvements and work with Kraus-Anderson and the Core Planning Team to ensure this scope of work aligns with the referendum budget.
| multipurpose room - entrance | |
High School Multipurpose Room
The design team has been collaborating with the Core Planning Team and athletic department on the use and layout of the multi-purpose indoor facility. Several meetings have been hosted to work through the turf flooring, training and weight room equipment layouts, and building access.
| |
demolition of tennis courts | |
High School Tennis Courts
Kraus-Anderson and their construction team started the demolition of the existing tennis courts. The tennis court base layer will be installed this year to allow for any settlement over the winter. Next year the courts will be finished and ready for play.
| |
Transportation Center
The design team has finalized the interior and exterior materials and finishes and presented them to the Core Planning Team. The civil engineers have been focusing on finalizing the site design including the pavement around the building for proper water drainage, and pedestrian and vehicle access to the building.
| |
|
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
#rfpride
| |
|
RFHS Marching Band - 2024 State Champions
Congratulations to the RFHS Marching Band on winning the Class AAA competition!
| Catch the final encore performance of their show "Endless Blue" at the RFHS Wildcat Field on Saturday, November 2 at 4 pm. Performance is free and open to the all in the community. | |
Grant for greenhouse
River Falls FFA has received a $10,000 grant from Channeling Good, thanks to a nomination by local Channel SeedPro Keith Gunderson.
The grant will help support funding of the construction of a new greenhouse at River Falls High School, a project the FFA has been fundraising for over the past few years. Both RFHS students and FFA members will have the opportunity to learn and grow in the greenhouse.
Thank you, Keith, for nominating our FFA!
| |
Superintendent Bell, teacher and FFA Advisor Ryan Pechacek, SeedPro Keith Gunderson, and RFHS Principal Kit Luedtke | |
|
MMS recently celebrated Mental Health Awareness Week, featuring daily announcements, self-care BINGO, and other activities that gave students a chance to win fun prizes.
It was a great week of learning, raising awareness, and promoting healthy discussions about mental health at MMS!
| |
|
Fun farm field trip for Westside first graders!
Thank you, Leisen Family Farm, for providing a fantastic experience!
| |
Students in Renaissance Academy's Business Management and Woodworking classes are crafting soap and grill scrapers to sell at the FBLA Craft Fair on November 23. Be sure to check out their handmade items! | |
The FBLA 2024 Craft Fair is held at River Falls High School on November 23 from 9 am to 3 pm. | |
✨It's National Principals Month, and we're grateful for our building leaders, who go above & beyond for our students and staff. | | |
|
|
We couldn't have asked for better weather for the Autumn Candlelight Hike at the School Forest & Community Forest earlier this month!
Thanks to all of our volunteers and to the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust, the Whole Earth Market Co-op, and RF Community Ed for providing this free community event.
| | |
|
|
This month the RFHS Robotics Club presented at a River Falls Wisconsin Rotary Club meeting.
The high school club has 34 students this year, Meyer Middle School has launched a new Robotics Club, and a robotics booster club has also been established.
| | |
|
Greenwood 2nd-5th graders recently wrapped up their annual Roller Skating unit. The students had a great time skating alongside Superintendent Bell and several of their teachers. | |
|
3 trips + 70 seniors + 75 miles + mosquitos, sunburns, windy and icy tents = 1 weekend of unlimited smiles and memories!
Mr. Bishop's Outdoor Ed classes recently took their fall canoeing and camping trips down the Red Cedar and Chippewa Rivers. An amazing adventure!
| |
Safety Patrol ceremonies were held in each elementary school over the past few weeks. Our Safety Patrols play an important role in keeping our students safe as they come and go from our schools. | |
|
🚌 RF Community Ed toured Fort Snelling, exploring its 10,000 years of history and connections to Native peoples, the fur trade, soldiers, enslaved people, and more. Special thanks to Alan Tuchtenhagen for providing valuable insights and coordinating the tour!
Check out the many other classes and activities provided by RFCE. View the Fall 2024 catalog and learn more at rflearns.org.
| |
In partnership with families and the community, the School District of River Falls is an innovative PK-12 grade educational leader committed to the academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being of every student. | |
Our district e-newsletter is one way we hope to increase connections and communication between the School District of River Falls and our community. We'll periodically share our "good news" and other important information about our district in this publication. You are receiving this district communication because you are a School District of River Falls parent/guardian, staff, or Community Education participant. Individuals who do not currently have students in our district can still receive this communication by subscribing to it. | | | | |
